turn them out on the highway. >> reporter: it's a consequence of the long texas drought. without rain, there's no grass. and hay supplies are so low, prices have doubled or tripled. >> kind of bankrupting the people who own the horses. >> sure. >> once the horses are this thin, it can take years to the gain back the weight. >> the ones that i get in that are emaciated, i think it does a lot of things to the inside of the horse, where it make its harder to bring them back and keep them up. just because you bring them out and keep themmum doesn't mean they'll survive. >> these owner -- horses will be taken care of. >> we'll keep them and take care of them for the rest of their lives if nobody adopts them. >> some will get strength. others will always need a little extra love. >> susan mcginnis, wjz eyewitness news. >> the meadow haven rescue farm is accepting donations through its website. >>> still to come tonight on wjz's eyewitness news. >>> she hired a hitman to kill her husband. was she a cold and calculating killer? or a victim of abuse? i'm derek valcourt at the balt